Motorized Vehicles Spark Timing Control for Use with Biofuel Gasoline Mixture

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides apparatus for varying an engine&#39;s combustion spark timing for use of hybrid fuels, such as bio-fuel and gasoline. An operator selectable switch enables or disables an on-board computer selecting between gasoline and bio-fuel mixtures as the on-board fuel so that engine mounted sensors provide data used to determine optimum fuel-ignition spark discharge values from a computerized table.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is subject to U.S. provisional application Ser. No.60/984,237 filed 31 Oct. 2007.

Please incorporate by reference all information in said provisionalapplication into this instant application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to motor vehicles and, morespecifically, to varying vehicle's engine spark timing during use of abio-fuel gasoline fuel mixture.

The present invention provides apparatus for varying an engine'scombustion spark timing during use of hybrid fuels, such as bio-fuel andgasoline. Also provided is selectable switch means for engaging anon-board computer when a bio-fuel gasoline fuel mixture is used as afuel source with the computer in sensor communication to establishparametric values used to perform a computer database lookup todetermine the optimum spark timing for a bio-fuel gasoline fuel mixture.

The present invention provides that the timing apparatus can be used inall gasoline engines.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

A primary object of the present invention is to provide apparatus forvarying motorized vehicles engine spark timing.

Another object of the present invention is to provide apparatus forautomatically varying an engine's spark timing for use of a bio-fuelgasoline mixture as a fuel source.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide apparatuswhereby a motor vehicle can operate on gasoline or hybrid fuels

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide switchapparatus for engaging a computerized database of predetermined valuesto determine the optimum combustion chamber spark timing for a givenbio-fuel gasoline mixture.

Another object of the present invention is to provide apparatus having aplurality of varying sensor apparatus for establishing parametricvariables to perform a database lookup to obtain the optimum sparktiming for a given fuel mixture at a given load for a given enginestate.

Additional objects of the present invention will appear as thedescription proceeds.

The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art byproviding apparatus for varying an engine's combustion spark timingduring use of hybrid fuels, such as bio-fuel and gasoline. Also providedis selectable switch means for engaging an on-board computer when abio-fuel gasoline fuel mixture is used as a fuel source with thecomputer in sensor communication to establish parametric values used toperform a computer database lookup to determine the optimum spark timingfor a bio-fuel gasoline fuel mixture used in any type of gasolineengine.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from thedescription to follow. In the description reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which forms a part hereof, and in which is shownby way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention maybe practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detailto enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it isto be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and thatstructural changes may be made without departing from the scope of theinvention. In the accompanying drawings, like reference charactersdesignate the same or similar parts throughout the several views.

The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in alimiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best definedby the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now bedescribed, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawingin which:

FIG. 1 is an illustrative view of the present invention in use.

FIG. 2 is an illustrative view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the present invention's methods ofachieving optimal ignition timing.

FIG. 4 is an illustrative diagram of the present invention's method ofachieving optimal ignition timing utilizing a fuel knock detector

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of the setup operations required for the presentinvention's system of utilizing biodiesel/gasoline blended fuel.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the fuel operation's required for thepresent invention's system of utilizing biodiesel/gasoline blended fuel.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of the fuel operation's required for the presentinvention's system of utilizing biodiesel/gasoline blended fuel.

FIG. 8 is an a chart of the alternative fuel test log

FIG. 9 is a chart of the alternative fuel test log.

DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar referencecharacters denote similar elements throughout the several views, thefigures illustrate the timing apparatus of the present invention. Withregard to the reference numerals used, the following numbering is usedthroughout the various drawing figures.

-   10 timing apparatus for controlling fuel-ignition spark discharge-   12 vehicle-   14 fuel tank-   16 switch-   18 bio-fuel-   20 gasoline-   22 testing device-   24 chart-   26 vehicle states-   28 vehicle start up-   30 vehicle warm up-   32 vehicle cruise-   34 vehicle shut down-   36 vehicle control system-   38 engine control unit-   40 computer-   42 sensors-   44 engine state feedback-   46 testing device-   48 temperature sensor-   50 humidity sensor-   52 pressure sensor-   54 exhaust product sensor-   56 testing procedure chart-   58 operational procedure chart-   60 operational flow chart

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment of theinvention (and variations of that embodiment). This discussion shouldnot be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those particularembodiments, practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerousother embodiments as well. For definition of the complete scope of theinvention, the reader is directed to appended claims.

Referring to FIG. 1, shown is an illustrative view of the presentinvention in use. The present invention 10 is a method and apparatus tooptimize ignition timing via switch 16 to accommodate bio diesel 18/gas20 blends for use in gasoline engines, such as vehicle 12 having tank14. The method and system provides means to efficiently run a gasolineengine utilizing bio diesel/gasoline blends varying from 50% to 0% biodiesel.

Referring to FIG. 2, shown is an illustrative view of the presentinvention. Shown is a dashboard having switch 16 of an interior of anautomobile 12. The present invention's apparatus and method 10 tooptimize ignition timing to accommodate bio diesel/gas blends for use ingasoline engines provides means for the user to map the engine controlsystem to the fuel in the fuel tank. When bio fuel is in use, the usertoggles a manual switch to bio fuel, else toggles the switch to gasolinewhen standard gasoline is present in the gas tank. The manual switch canbe fixedly placed upon the dashboard as shown, else any location deemedappropriate for the user and/or vehicle.

Referring to FIG. 3, shown is a block diagram 22 of the presentinvention's methods of achieving optimal ignition timing. The presentinvention includes two preferred apparatuses that when used with adynamometer result in optimal ignition timing to accommodate biodiesel/gas blends for use in gasoline engines. Each apparatuses as usedin conjunction and in parallel with the original power train module.Using a laptop the user can modify the ignition timing and fuel deliverybased on a two dimension table (x axis being rpm and y axis being load).

Referring to FIG. 4, shown is an illustrative diagram 24 of the presentinvention's method of achieving optimal ignition timing utilizing a fuelknock detector 46. The present invention includes two preferredapparatuses that when used with a dynamometer result in optimal ignitiontiming to accommodate bio diesel/gas blends for use in gasoline engines.Each apparatus is used in conjunction and in parallel with the originalpower train module. In one preferred method the present inventionutilizes a fuel knock detector 46 to optimize the ignition timing toaccommodate bio diesel/gas blends for use in gasoline engines. Alsoshown are temperature 48 humidity 50 pressure 52 and exhaust productssensor 54 generating data used by computer 40 to control engine controls38 of system 36. Engine states 26 including start up 28, warm up 30,cruise 32, and shut down 34 provide feedback 44 for adjusting the timingof system 36.

Referring to FIG. 5, shown is a flow chart 56 of the setup operationsrequired for the present invention's system of utilizingbiodiesel/gasoline blended fuel. The present invention's system ofutilizing biodiesel/gasoline blended fuel provides means to calibratethe engine fuel timing for a plurality of fuel ratios. Diagnosticequipment is used to identify optimal power output which is in turnrecorded and stored into the engine management system interdisposed inthe vehicles electrical system.

Referring to FIG. 6, shown is a block diagram 58 of the fuel operation'srequired for the present invention's system of utilizingbiodiesel/gasoline blended fuel. The present invention's system ofutilizing biodiesel/gasoline blended fuel provides means to adjust thetiming setting based on the fuel being dispensed into the gas tank. Amanual switch affixed to the vehicle interior allows the user to selectthe proper setting prior to starting the vehicle after dispensing fuel.

Referring to FIG. 7, shown is a flow chart 60 of the fuel operation'srequired for the present invention's system of utilizingbiodiesel/gasoline blended fuel. The present invention's system ofutilizing biodiesel/gasoline blended fuel provides means to adjust thetiming setting based on the fuel being dispensed into the gas tank. Amanual switch affixed to the vehicle interior allows the user to selectthe proper setting prior to starting the vehicle after dispensing fuel.

Referring to FIG. 8, shown is a chart of the alternative fuel test logDepicted is an actual test log describing the additional ignitionadvance with a 10° bio diesel fuel blended with 87 octane gasoline.Additionally shown are observed characteristics.

Referring to FIG. 9, shown is a chart of the alternative fuel test log.Depicted is an actual test log describing the additional ignitionadvance with a 50° bio diesel fuel blended with 87 octane gasoline.Additionally shown are observed characteristics.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or twoor more together may also find a useful application in other types ofmethods differing from the type described above.

While certain novel features of this invention have been shown anddescribed and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intendedto be limited to the details above, since it will be understood thatvarious omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the formsand details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be madeby those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spiritof the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthe present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge,readily adapt it for various applications without omitting featuresthat, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essentialcharacteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.

1. Timing apparatus for controlling fuel-ignition spark discharge incombustion engines using Bio-fuel Gasoline fuel mixtures comprising: (a)combustion engine mounted sensors for generating parametric data; (b)apparatus integrated into the existing combustion engine fuel-ignitionspare discharge system for selectively modifying the discharge offuel-ignition spark; and (c) switch for activating and deactivatingapparatuses used for altering fuel-ignition spark discharge.
 2. Thetiming apparatus of claim 1, including switch mode for actuatingexisting fuel-ignition spark discharge by Engine Control Unit (ECU). 3.The timing apparatus of claim 1, including switch mode for actuatingtiming apparatus for modifying fuel-ignition spark discharge incombustion engines having Bio-fuel Gasoline fuel mixtures
 4. The timingapparatus of claim 3, including a plurality of sensors taken from thegroup of temperature, humidity, pressure and exhaust-products.
 5. Thetiming apparatus of claim 4, wherein the sensors provide processing dataestablishing spark-ignition timing discharge.
 6. The timing apparatus ofclaim 5, including data storage device for storing retrievable timingmodification values.
 7. The timing apparatus of claim 6, including acomputer for retrieving stored timing values for a bio-fuel gasolinemixture from the data storage device
 8. The timing apparatus of claim 7,where sensor data is processed by the computer as parametric data fordetermining optimum fuel-ignition spark discharge timing for bio-fuelgasoline fuel mixtures stored on the data storage device.
 9. The timingapparatus of claim 8, where sensors include providing parametric datafor combustion engine states taken from the group of: start up, warm up,cruise and shut down states.
 10. The timing apparatus of claim 9, wherethe timing apparatus is interdisposed between the ECU and existingfuel-ignition spark discharge apparatus.
 11. The method of controllingfuel-ignition spark discharge in combustion engines using Bio-fuelGasoline fuel mixtures comprising: (a) combustion engine sensor meansfor generating processing means parametric values; (b) processing meansfor setting fuel-ignition spark discharge; and (c) switch means foractuating processing means generating fuel-ignition spark dischargetiming values received from sensor means parametric data.
 12. The methodof claim 11, including switch means for actuating provided fuel-ignitionspark discharge by existing Engine Control Unit (ECU).
 13. The method ofclaim 12, including switch means for actuating timing apparatus forcontrolling fuel-ignition spark discharge in combustion engines havingBio-fuel Gasoline fuel mixtures
 14. The method of claim 13, whereinsensors means is a plurality of sensing means taken from the group oftemperature, humidity, pressure and exhaust-products.
 15. The method ofclaim 14, wherein the sensors means provides processing meansestablishing spark-ignition timing discharge.
 16. The method of claim15, wherein the processing means includes setting of the fuel-ignitionspark discharge value retrieved from data storage device.
 17. The methodof claim 16, including a computing means retrieving stored timing valuesfrom the data storage device
 18. The method of claim 17, where sensormeans parametric data is processed by the computer means as parametricdata for establishing fuel-ignition spark discharge for bio-fuelgasoline fuel mixtures.
 19. The method of claim 18, where sensor meansincludes processing means of parametric data from combustion enginestates including start up, warm up, cruise and shut down.
 20. The methodof claim 19, where the controlling method is interdisposed between theECU and existing fuel-ignition spark discharge apparatus.